About this role
Job summary
Working Full time: 37.5 hours per week
The Blood Sciences department has an exciting vacancy for a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist, Band 5.
The role includes working as part of a multidisciplinary trained BMS team primarily within Clinical Biochemistry. The post holder will assist in the 24/7 cover provided by the laboratory where appropriate, including rotation on days, nights and weekends. The successful post holder may also be required to undergo basic multidisciplinary training within Haematology.
The laboratory utilises Beckman Coulter automation across Blood Sciences, and an equipment refresh is due later in 2026 within Clinical Biochemistry for both mainline and immunoassay platforms. Currently the laboratory has AU5811 mainline analysers, and DxI800 and DXI9000 for immunoassay testing. Sebia technology is employed for protein electrophoresis.
Ideally you will currently be working within a UKAS accredited NHS Blood Sciences laboratory as a HCPC registered Biomedical Scientist.
Main duties of the job
To ensure the work within Blood Sciences is processed to the required standard, within agreed turnaround times and appropriate action is taken when necessary following departmental procedures. To perform equipment maintenance and quality control of test procedures to agreed schedules within assigned area. To ensure quality compliance to maintain laboratory accreditation to ISO 15189:2022, including participation in audits. To monitor and maintain equipment, to undertake basic trouble shooting and inform section leader of any non-conformities. To contribute to providing reports in a timely manner to contribute to patient care and treatment. Under strict protocols, validate and authorise routine and specialist results, or refer to Blood Sciences clinical staff for release to users where appropriate. To participate in the rotation through, and maintain competency in, all relevant departments of the Blood Sciences laboratory. To assist with laboratory stores and maintenance of consumable stocks. To suggest ways to improve working practices. To assist with verification of assays or equipment when required.
About us The Trust's services are provided from three locations: o The Countess of Chester Hospital: providing 473 general and acute beds. o Ellesmere Port Hospital: providing 60 beds as a rehabilitation, intermediate and outpatient facility. o Tarporley War Memorial Hospital: a base for community services which serve the local rural population. The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust employs 5,964 staff (headcount) to provide care and treatment to a population of over 400,000 people living in Chester and West Cheshire which includes Ellesmere Port and Neston as well as the Deeside area of Flintshire. The Trust works collaboratively within the wider Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System. Due to its location on the border with North Wales, the Trust also works closely with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Trust treats patients from England and some parts of Wales. During 2024/2025, there were approximately 643,000 patient attendances (inpatient, A&E, outpatient and diagnostic) ranging from a simple outpatient appointment to major cancer surgery
Job description Job responsibilities
See Job Description for further details.
Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values. An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
If a DBS is required for your role, you are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee applies which is payable to the DBS Service.Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costswill be deducted from their salary over the first three months of employment.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.
The Trust will not sponsor where the starting salary does not meet immigration rules
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
HCPC Registration IBMS Accredited Biomedical Sciences Degree or equivalent
Desirable
Membership of IBMS
Knowledge and experience Essential
Be proficient in the use of information technology, in particular lab computer system. Be fully competent with the use of standard laboratory analysers across the various disciplines (Transfusion, Haematology and/or Biochemistry) Demonstrate professional and technical judgement.
Desirable
Multidisciplinary experience within Transfusion, Haematology and Biochemistry Experience with fully automated Blood Sciences systems
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Countess of Chester Hospital
Liverpool Road
Chester
CH2 1UL
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.coch.nhs.uk/working-with-us.aspx (Opens in a new tab)